Hi, I've been looking for a used Superb, generally 3-4 years old, but some pushing 6 have come up. Now I understand that 19/69 was mk3, whereas I think 20+ will be mk3.5. So now I'm trying to understand what might have changed between these models.

I believe the headlights, steering wheel and MIB system were changes with some minor cosmetics on the outside. None of that seems to major to me, but I'd welcome views.

I am looking ideally for a 2.0TSi, and I believe the gearbox changed on these as well - does anyone know if the 6sp to 7sp was changed with the facelift or was it done separately?

Finally, it seems that an SE L that I have seen doesn't have the digital dash, but those seem pretty standard now - was that another change?

Any other help identifying the differences etc would be appreciated!!

If it helps, I have a 2023 SE Technology (1.5 TSI Hatch), and mine has the virtual cockpit, along with full LED headlights, leather full electric seats etc.

1 hour ago, Mr_Bigglesworth said:

Finally, it seems that an SE L that I have seen doesn't have the digital dash, but those seem pretty standard now - was that another change?

Any other help identifying the differences etc would be appreciated!!

When I test drove a 2022MY SEL in early 2022 it didn't have the digital dash (an option at the time) but when mine arrived late 2022 (2023MY) it came with the digital dash, so not sure exactly when this became standard but sometime in the later half of 2022, worth looking for one with the digital dash if finances permit, but if you've never had one you won't miss it.

Lots of things changed with the facelift. Main cosmetic ones to quickly identify I’d say would be Front lights/bumper changed, rear lights updated with chrome strip across the boot lid. Changed from emblem to SKODA letters across the rear.

As for digital dash, it went from option to standard in some models - pretty sure it’s standard in facelift L&K but seems to have been an option pre-facelift. Same with 280 sportline plus - was sure I’d seen some with and without but not sure on whether it changed as part of the facelift.

Edited 25 April, 20251 yr by travs

If you do a lot of night driving the FL is worth it for the Matrix LED alone.

Quoting the above, do not use options as a reference guide for FL models. Some have it, some don't.

The changes are pointed out by travs above, front end is unmistakable (uglier in my view, I liked the big fogs), as well as the 6 to 7 speed change.

Thanks for the replies.

In some further digging it seems that 69 plates have most of the face lift changes I think. Send like the steering wheel change can on 70 plates (not sure if there is specific benefit to the newer steering wheels, are they all heated or something?), the digital dash appears to become standard in a change a few years later too.

Not sure if the infotainment change also happened in the 69 plate or later.

the facelift so the introduction of the MIB3 units, which is far less stable than the previous MIB2.5 (with 9.2" screen) and MIB2 (with 8" screen) units.

a lot more issues have been reported with them.

lots of changes with the various control modules - gateway, lane assist, A5 camera, headlights & central electrics.

as a result, many of the VCDS/OBDEleven coding that works on the pre-facelift will not work on the facelift.

in addition, a number of things on the facelift now cannot b simply enabled, like TSR (traffic sign recognition).

the Canton on the facelift is also a downgrade.

u loose the boot torch.

the boot strut hinges on the facelift wagon r a weaker design and r known to fail. There is a TSB out for it.

Looking through the brochures for each year can give a guidance as to what was fitted as standard to each model and what was an optional extra.

https://autocatalogarchive.com/skoda/

One other think to take into account with latest MY20 or MY21 is supply chain problems. Many car manufacturers have downgraded the equipment level, to make cars come out from their assembly lines faster and avoid customers waiting up to 18 months for their car delivery. For instance some Peugeot 2008 Mk2 were fitted with needle tachometers and revometers instead of virtual cockpits as specced. I know some Audi were downgraded too. I don’t see why Škoda Superb would not have been impacted too…

@Bap33 - good point.

A number of the facelift Superbs missed out, during or post COVID, on things like Lane Assist, Matrix Headlights, Canton system, Blind Spot Monitoring, Travel Assist etc etc.

18 hours ago, JR RS said:

the Canton on the facelift is also a downgrade.

u loose the boot torch.

the boot strut hinges on the facelift wagon r a weaker design and r known to fail. There is a TSB out for it.

Starting by the fact I do consider the Canton in my FL fairly "underwhelming" in what they managed to make it worse?? 😁

I wish the bass would be booming like it should, for example! Oh well...

The torch loss is a silly thing, I hope Aperture someday will take mercy and resolve 😆

Do you have a code for that TSB so I can go bother my uninterested dealer bef end of warranty?

Thanks!

5 hours ago, leolito said:

Starting by the fact I do consider the Canton in my FL fairly "underwhelming" in what they managed to make it worse?? 😁

I wish the bass would be booming like it should, for example! Oh well...

The torch loss is a silly thing, I hope Aperture someday will take mercy and resolve 😆

Do you have a code for that TSB so I can go bother my uninterested dealer bef end of warranty?

Thanks!

Skoda Service Campaign 55N3.

Details in this previous post.

10 hours ago, leolito said:

Starting by the fact I do consider the Canton in my FL fairly "underwhelming" in what they managed to make it worse?? 😁

I wish the bass would be booming like it should, for example! Oh well...

The torch loss is a silly thing, I hope Aperture someday will take mercy and resolve 😆

Do you have a code for that TSB so I can go bother my uninterested dealer bef end of warranty?

Thanks!

I've paid for upgraded sound systems in various cars, Canton is standard in my L&K but I think I'd be a bit disappointed if I'd paid extra for it. The whole surround sound algorithm and dolby pro-logic is garbage, the subwoofer adds some depth but no punch and there's no rich mids which I usually like.

I had the Jag B&W system in my XF, I could just sit in that and listen to music all day and pro-logic filled the car with sound without adding any weird delay effects as pro-logic should do. Yep that was a 17 speaker 1200W system but even the 1st level Business upgrade (£400) in our BMW added lots of punch with underseat subs.

I'd say Canton in the Superb is an upgrade over standard but it's not worth the money.

I've also heard Canton in Octavia and Karoq and thought exactly the same.

1 hour ago, logiclee said:

I've paid for upgraded sound systems in various cars, Canton is standard in my L&K but I think I'd be a bit disappointed if I'd paid extra for it. The whole surround sound algorithm and dolby pro-logic is garbage, the subwoofer adds some depth but no punch and there's no rich mids which I usually like.

I had the Jag B&W system in my XF, I could just sit in that and listen to music all day and pro-logic filled the car with sound without adding any weird delay effects as pro-logic should do. Yep that was a 17 speaker 1200W system but even the 1st level Business upgrade (£400) in our BMW added lots of punch with underseat subs.

I'd say Canton in the Superb is an upgrade over standard but it's not worth the money.

I've also heard Canton in Octavia and Karoq and thought exactly the same.

The Canton setup in the Superb is different to the Canton setup in the Octavia and Kodiaq. Those two share the same speakers and DSP amplifier.

The Superb on the otherhand has more speakers and a more powerful amplifier.

See images below.

This is the pre-facelift Superb by the way.

I have no idea about the downgraded Canton system in the facelift Superb. They probably using the same setup as the Octavia/Kodiaq now.

Edited 23 April, 20251 yr by JR RS

14 minutes ago, JR RS said:

The Canton setup in the Superb is different to the Canton setup in the Octavia and Kodiaq. Those two share the same speakers and DSP amplifier.

The Superb on the otherhand has more speakers and a more powerful amplifier.

See images below.

This is the pre-facelift Superb by the way.

I have no idea about the downgraded Canton system in the facelift Superb. They probably using the same setup as the Octavia/Kodiaq now.

Face lift still has the same 12 speaker configuration as the pre-facelift and the same power output. DSP was changed and user configurability in MIB3.

I've heard pre-facelift Canton. Can't say that impressed me either.

I suspect any differences pre/post FL are DSP based.

I bought a 69 plate face lift SEL 2.OTSI 190 hatchback . It was manufactured in July 2019 and has been brilliant with no trouble .

Besides all the facelift updates - new front and back matrix LED lights ( worth it alone) mine still has the detachable light in the boot and has fitted extras such as 19 inch canopus alloys, digital cockpit and self park , It was a Skoda head office registered car ( KY69 ) which i believe may have been considered for the launch reviews

The engine is very quiet and responsive and the 7 speed DQ381 is free of hesitation and butter smooth.

Thanks very much for the replies. @Stonechip that is helpful to know. Funny thing is that I drove a Skoda 2019 2.0Tsi and felt it was a bit laggy and to be honest no better than a 2022 1.5Tsi that I drove. Then drove a Octavia 2019 2.0Tsi just a few days ago and thought it was great. Think something must have been up with the 2.0Tsi Skoda that I drove so need to go and try another one!

Very helpful to know that 69 plates will get me most of the upgrades needed, that is earlier than I thought the facelift happened. Though the earlier facelifts will miss out on digital dash which seems more normal on more recent plated cars, the steering wheel that changed around 2021 and MIB3 (I think wireless Android Auto would be the main miss to be honest) which also came in a bit later I think.

I haven't driven a Sportline, but that and L&K remain options if I can find one within the price bracket as well. Seems like some say the Sportline is a better ride than the SE L for normal driving and is not too firm, but I am put off by the Alcantara seats (children and dog!). L&K's seem nice, but not sure I *need* all the extras....

3 minutes ago, Mr_Bigglesworth said:

L&K's seem nice, but not sure I *need* all the extras....

If you like the Leather of the SEL over the Alcantara of the Sportline but think you will prefer the stiffer setup of the Sportline then the L&K maybe the best option.

You will get the leather seating with more adjustment for the passenger as well as ventilation and suspension wise you will get the DCC adjustable suspension.

@logiclee all agreed. That was essentially my line of thinking. But L&K all comes at a cost and this won't be our main car (but will be our holidaying car etc). To be honest there isn't much available used, so it may be the case of not being too choosy!

6 minutes ago, Mr_Bigglesworth said:

@logiclee all agreed. That was essentially my line of thinking. But L&K all comes at a cost and this won't be our main car (but will be our holidaying car etc). To be honest there isn't much available used, so it may be the case of not being too choosy!

Yep, they are a little rare. Especially a TSi L&K. As production years went on more petrol and fewer diesels were registered though.

I managed to get one of the last L&K's off the production line. But I'd been waiting months for one to come up for sale, managed to get an 8 month old car from Skoda with quite a few options fitted.

35 minutes ago, Mr_Bigglesworth said:

Thanks very much for the replies. @Stonechip that is helpful to know. Funny thing is that I drove a Skoda 2019 2.0Tsi and felt it was a bit laggy and to be honest no better than a 2022 1.5Tsi that I drove. Then drove a Octavia 2019 2.0Tsi just a few days ago and thought it was great. Think something must have been up with the 2.0Tsi Skoda that I drove so need to go and try another one!

Very helpful to know that 69 plates will get me most of the upgrades needed, that is earlier than I thought the facelift happened. Though the earlier facelifts will miss out on digital dash which seems more normal on more recent plated cars, the steering wheel that changed around 2021 and MIB3 (I think wireless Android Auto would be the main miss to be honest) which also came in a bit later I think.

I haven't driven a Sportline, but that and L&K remain options if I can find one within the price bracket as well. Seems like some say the Sportline is a better ride than the SE L for normal driving and is not too firm, but I am put off by the Alcantara seats (children and dog!). L&K's seem nice, but not sure I *need* all the extras....

Digital Dash (Virtual Cluster) was introduced from MY18 onwards, along with the MIB2.5 unit with the 9.2" screen.

Up until then it was the analog dash, MIB2 units with the 8" screen.

MIB3 came along from MY20 onwards. Same digital dash.

As for the 2019 2.0TSi feeling as slow as the 1.5TSi - that's not right. Was it the 190, 220 or 280?

I test drove both the FWD 220 and AWD 280, before I ended up getting the 220. With a smaller turbo than 280, the 220 is a lot more responsive and peppy driving around. Apart from off the line, it is in every way just as quick or even slightly quicker than the AWD 280.

Edited 24 April, 20251 yr by JR RS

10 minutes ago, JR RS said:

Digital Dash (Virtual Cluster) was introduced from MY18 onwards, along with the MIB2.5 unit with the 9.2" screen.

Up until then it was the analog dash, MIB2 units with the 8" screen.

MIB3 came along from MY20 onwards. Same digital dash.

As for the 2019 2.0TSi feeling as slow as the 1.5TSi - that's not right. Was it the 190, 220 or 280?

I test drove both the FWD 220 and AWD 280, before I ended up getting the 220. With a smaller turbo than 280, the 220 is a lot more responsive and peppy driving around. Apart from off the line, it is in every way just as quick or even slightly quicker than the AWD 280.

Thanks for this. It was the 190 that I test drove, just seemed sluggish on pulling away. Night and day compared to the Octavia 2.0Tsi (2019) 190 - hence me thinking that maybe it was a duff example of one and I need to find another Superb 190 to test drive!

2 minutes ago, Mr_Bigglesworth said:

Thanks for this. It was the 190 that I test drove, just seemed sluggish on pulling away. Night and day compared to the Octavia 2.0Tsi (2019) 190 - hence me thinking that maybe it was a duff example of one and I need to find another Superb 190 to test drive!

190 shouldn't feel sluggish in anyway and not even close to a 1.5 150.

I swapped from a 1.5TSi (Karoq) to 2.0TSi (Superb)

190 has small turbo and high compression ratio so lag isn't an issue.

That is what I thought. I mean I have a 200bhp 2.0Tsi (older VAG car) manual and I thought it would be pretty similar. I think there was an issue with the one I test drove (was at a independent shop). When another comes up local, I will have to go and test drive it!